# NTSB LAX92LA075: Piper PA601P, N680JM, San Diego, CA, January 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1991, 17:25 local (Jan 1, 1992, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.799003, -117.130981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7990&lon=-117.1310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND DELAY IN ACCOMPLISHING THE PROPER REMEDIAL ACTION WHILE EXECUTING A NIGHT SHORT FIELD LANDING AT AN ADEQUATELY LIGHTED AIRPORT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDE SLOPE AND THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed

## Analysis

A PIPER AEROSTAR 601P COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY APPROACH LIGHTS SHORT OF RUNWAY 28R.  NIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PILOT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AND PLANNED TO ACCOMPLISH A NIGHT SHORT FIELD LANDING ON RUNWAY 28R.  DURING FINAL APPROACH THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER GLIDEPATH AND WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO LOW HE WAS LATE IN ADDING POWER.  THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK AN APPROACH LIGHT WITH THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR.  THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DURING TOUCHDOWN.  RUNWAY 28R IS 3,408 FEET LONG BY 150 FEET WIDE, AND IS EQUIPPED WITH HIGH INTENSITY RUNWAY LIGHTS, CENTERLINE LIGHTS, A CATEGORY II CONFIGURATION HIGH INTENSITY APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEM, HIGH INTENSITY RUNWAY LIGHTS, AND A SIMPLIFIED SHORT APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH RUNWAY ALIGNMENT INDICATOR LIGHTS.  THE RUNWAY'S APPROACH SLOPE ANGLE IS 3.0 DEGREES WITH A THRESHOLD CROSSING HEIGHT OF 29 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N680JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N680JM-2015-05-12), registration cancelled 2015-05-12, S/N 61P-0507-210, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA601P
- Registry model: [Piper AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-aerostar-601p) (registry code 7106012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0507-210
- Airframe hours: 974
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5MM 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Miles, James W.
- Registered owner: Miles, James W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1991, 53 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery, runway 28, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 750 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF, 1 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911231000039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911231000039A), Dec 31, 1991: Piper PA60601P, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Too low on final struck approach lights and landed short. Collapsed right main gear. Tore a hole in right wing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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